South African Kagisho Dikgacoi must impose himself against the Germans and prove he is indeed the man to step into Gary Medel’s boots.

The Chilean star, who marked Neymar out of the World Cup clash with Brazil, has been handed the number 19 Cardiff shirt for the new season but isn’t in contention to play as talks over his future continue.

Medel looks to be leaving and someone has to step up to the plate to replace him as the shield in front of the leaky Cardiff back four.

Dikgacoi looks the likely man and will aim to break up Wolfsburg forays forward and set the Bluebirds moving onto the front foot themselves.

Dikgacoi was offered a new contract by Premier League Crystal Palace but opted to join Solskjaer’s squad instead.

His pre-season preparations were disrupted because it took time to sort out a visa, meaning Dikgacoi missed City’s tour to Austria.

He has played for the development team against Haverfordwest, the first team at Yeovil and worked hard in training.

But there is only one week before the Championship kick-off and Dikgacoihas to show he is ready for that opening clash at Blackbur. He will be crucial to Cardiff’s team.

2: COPING WITHOUT MARSHALL

Solskjaer must play goalkeeper Joe Lewis for the full 90 minutes against Wolfsburg to ensure he is ready for action at Blackburn if David Marshall is ruled out by his finger injury.

Marshall won’t be fit to face the Germans and is rated ‘touch and go’ for Blackburn with the 6ft 4ins Lewis likely to step in.

Simon Moore kept a personal clean sheet after replacing the injured Marshall at Yeovil and is rated is an outstanding prospect who is currently bang in form and pushing hard.

But Lewis is likely to be the man Solskjaer turns to while Marshall is out. He’s Plan B and needs to hone his match sharpness against Wolfsburg.

3: FOLLOW THE LEADER

Steven Caulker and Craig Bellamy have gone, so Solskjaer should take the bull by the horns and name his new captain for the season.

Two of the contenders, David Marshall and Ben Turner, won’t be playing against Wolfsburg because of injuries, but whether it’s them or someone else it’s time to name the man who will be wearing the armband this season.

Mark Hudson has been club captain for a few years and has led the team out at times in pre-season, but Solskjaer has made no comment on who will be his skipper.

It’s hardly an overwhelming vote of confidence for Hudson and Solskjaer’s stance seems to indicate there could be a change for this season.

Perhaps it will be Peter Whittingham for the match against Wolfsburg?

Solskjaer says he knows who he wants to do the job - it’s time to reveal that decision to the fans.

4: CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

Mark Hudson and Matt Connolly must be at the centre Cardiff City’s back four - in case they are needed at Blackburn next Friday.

Ben Turner has to be rated doubtful for that trip after rolling an ankle at Yeovil, while Juan Cala is suspended and can’t play at Ewood Park. With Ben Nugent out on loan at Yeovil, Hudson and Connolly are the right pairing to step in.

They are highly experienced at Championship level and have been promoted to the Premier League five times between them. Hudson has gone up with Crystal Palace and Cardiff, Connolly with QPR, Reading and Cardiff.

Connolly started last season’s Premier League campaign at right-back, but much prefers centre-half and this could be his chance to stake a strong claim.

Solskjaer looks certain to bring in another centre-back, maybe two, before the transfer window closes.

But he has to deal with what he has got. Hudson and Connolly it is then, handed the opportunity to build up an understanding ahead of Blackburn.

5: LET’S SEE JAVI AND NICKY

Solskjaer, as has been well documented, possesses an abundance of riches up top. But which one, or two, does he pick?

For me, Javi Guerra and Nicky Maynard should get the opportunity against Wolfsburg, handed the chance to put down a marker for the Championship kick-off.

That is maybe harsh on Adam Le Fondre, who has been sharp during pre-season, but Solskjaer can only accommodate two of the three in his 4-4-2 system. Kenwyne Jones has also worked his socks off, but for me should miss out.

Federico Macheda is out with a minor back injury - he should be available at Blackburn.

However, he will have to make do with bench duty at best if Guerra and Maynard join forces against Wolfsburg and shine.

6: CASE FOR KADEEM:

Who will provide width for the Bluebirds while Craig Noone is out injured?

There is no other obvious senior wide player at the club, so it could be worth a closer look at 21-year-old Kadeem Harris, signed from Wycombe a couple of years ago.

Harris is a wing flyer, a player who likes to run at defenders and has excelled in the development team. His goal during their 3-0 win against Chasetown in midweek, a delicate chip as the keeper rushed out, was a gem.

And I’m told he scored a contender for development team goal of the season during the pre-season tour to Portugal.

Noone gives City zest, energy and pace out wide, but he is ruled out by a groin strain and won’t be available until mid-September. Solksjaer had been hopeful he would be back sooner than that, but his recovery will take a few weeks.

Harris has similar assets as a player and Solskjaer watched him in action for City’s development team this week. I don’t imagine Harris will start against Wolfsburg, but I’d like to see him given a place among the substitutes. If he then gets his chance, it’s up to the youngster to grasp it.

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